PROBIOTICS AND ITS ADVANTAGES IN ANIMAL NUTRITION

• According to joint FAO/WHO group, ‘Probiotics are live microorganism which when administered in adequate amounts have health benefit on host.’
• Term probiotics was first used by Lilly and Stillwell (1965).

Classification of probiotics used in animal feed:

Probiotics used in animal feed can be classified as:

I. Bacterial vs Non-Bacterial Probiotics:

• Several bacteria species such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus and Enterococcus are used.
• Non-bacterial probiotics includes yeast or fungi; Aspergillus oryzae, Candida, Saccharomyces, etc.

ii. Spore-forming vs Non-spore forming:

• Non-spore forming: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium strain
• Spore forming: Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

iii. Multispecies probiotics vs single species probiotics:

• Multi species probiotics: Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus reuteri, L. salivarius and Pediococcus acidilactici containing probiotics
• Single species probiotics: Single-species probiotics include Bro-bio-fair (Saccharomyces servisia), Anta Pro EF ( faecium)

iv. Allochthonous Vs Autochthonous Probiotics:

• Allochthonous: They are not present normally in GIT. Ex: Yeasts
• Autochthonous: They are usually present in GIT. Ex: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium